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Rick Porcello was named as the winner of the American League Comeback Player of the Year Award on Tuesday.

The award is officially sanctioned by MLB and was voted on by the 30 club beat reporters from MLB.com. Porcello missed some time with triceps inflammation in 2015 and finished with a disappointing 4.92 ERA over 28 starts during his first season with the Red Sox, but he won the AL Cy Young Award this year after posting a 3.15 ERA and 189/32 K/BB ratio over 223 innings while winning 22 games. Nov 29 - 3:24 PM

Rick Porcello told WEEI that he will not pitch for Team USA in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

"My loyalty is first and foremost to the Boston Red Sox," said the 2016 American League Cy Young Award winner. Porcello, a native of Morristown, New Jersey, went 22-4 with a 3.15 ERA, 1.009 WHIP, and 189/32 K/BB ratio in 223 innings this past season for the American League East champions. Nov 17 - 3:55 PM

Rick Porcello was named the winner of the 2016 American League Cy Young Award.

Porcello narrowly edged out Justin Verlander, with Corey Kluber finishing third. Verlander actually received more first-place votes from the BBWAA than Porcello -- 14-8 -- but the Red Sox hurler made up that difference in his second-place votes, coming out with the weightier ballot overall. The 27-year-old right-hander is the first Red Sox pitcher to win the Cy Young since Pedro Martinez in 2000. Porcello finished the 2016 campaign the owner of a 22-4 record and having pitched to a 3.15 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 189/32 K/BB ratio over 223 innings. This was by far his best season in the majors, as he had posted ERA's higher than 4.00 in five of seven seasons prior to blasting those past numbers away in 2016. Nov 16 - 7:03 PM

Rick Porcello was named the winner of the 2016 Players Choice Award for AL Outstanding Pitcher.

Entering the past campaign, Porcello had registered an ERA north of 4.00 in five of seven major league seasons. Included in that lot, a 4.92 ERA in 2015. He blew that history out of the water this past year, though, posting a 3.15 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 189/32 K/BB ratio over a career-high 223 innings. Nov 9 - 8:27 PM

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Rick Porcello told WEEI that he will not pitch for Team USA in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

"My loyalty is first and foremost to the Boston Red Sox," said the 2016 American League Cy Young Award winner. Porcello, a native of Morristown, New Jersey, went 22-4 with a 3.15 ERA, 1.009 WHIP, and 189/32 K/BB ratio in 223 innings this past season for the American League East champions.

Rick Porcello was named the winner of the 2016 American League Cy Young Award.

Porcello narrowly edged out Justin Verlander, with Corey Kluber finishing third. Verlander actually received more first-place votes from the BBWAA than Porcello -- 14-8 -- but the Red Sox hurler made up that difference in his second-place votes, coming out with the weightier ballot overall. The 27-year-old right-hander is the first Red Sox pitcher to win the Cy Young since Pedro Martinez in 2000. Porcello finished the 2016 campaign the owner of a 22-4 record and having pitched to a 3.15 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 189/32 K/BB ratio over 223 innings. This was by far his best season in the majors, as he had posted ERA's higher than 4.00 in five of seven seasons prior to blasting those past numbers away in 2016.

Rick Porcello was named the winner of the 2016 Players Choice Award for AL Outstanding Pitcher.

Entering the past campaign, Porcello had registered an ERA north of 4.00 in five of seven major league seasons. Included in that lot, a 4.92 ERA in 2015. He blew that history out of the water this past year, though, posting a 3.15 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 189/32 K/BB ratio over a career-high 223 innings.

Clay Buchholz will try to keep Boston alive in the best-of-five series with his start in Monday's postponed Game 3. Porcello was lit up for five runs in 4 1/3 innings in Game 1 of the ALDS on Thursday at Cleveland's Progressive Field. Game 4 is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon at Fenway Park.

Porcello isn't slated to start again until Game 5 but with the Red Sox fighting for their playoff lives, "it's all hands on deck," according to Farrell. If Porcello appears in Sunday's Game 3, he'll be pitching on only three days' rest. Porcello's 72-pitch outing on Thursday was his shortest of the season. Clay Buchholz will be Boston's starter for Game 3.

Rick Porcello was tagged for five runs in 4 1/3 innings in a loss to the Indians in Game 1 of the ALDS on Thursday.

This was the first time since July 24 that Porcello allowed more than three runs in a start. The third inning was especially problematic, as he gave up solo homers to Roberto Perez, Jason Kipnis, and Francisco Lindor. It was the first time in his career that he gave up three homers in an inning. This was also the first time all season that he didn’t last five innings in a start.

The Red Sox announced Sunday that Rick Porcello will start Game 1 of the ALDS against the Indians.

David Price has the $217 million contract, but Porcello has been the team's most consistent starter this season and it's no surprise he's getting the ball in Game 1. Porcello will square off against Trevor Bauer, with Price and Corey Kluber following them in Game 2. The Red Sox didn't announce their Game 3 and (if necessary) Game 4 starters, but Eduardo Rodriguez and Clay Buchholz are the obvious choices.

Rick Porcello gave up three runs over six innings in a no-decision against the Blue Jays on Friday.

Porcello held the Blue Jays scoreless over the first four innings before giving up three runs in the fifth, including a two-run homer to Jose Bautista. He was in line for his fifth loss, but the Red Sox battled back to take him off the hook. The 27-year-old will finish the regular season at 22-4 with a 3.15 ERA and 189/32 K/BB ratio in 223 innings. He’s squarely in the mix for the American League Cy Young Award.

Rick Porcello allowed three runs over 6 1/3 innings in a win over the Rays on Saturday.

Porcello gave up three runs in the third inning but settled down to hold them scoreless the rest of his time. He gave up eight hits and a walk while striking out nine in the outing. The right-hander improved to a ridiculous 22-4 with a 3.11 ERA and 0.99 WHIP with the win. He'll get one final stab at the 2016 regular season Friday against the Blue Jays.

Rick Porcello was brilliant in Baltimore on Monday, holding the Orioles to two runs on four hits in a 5-2 complete game victory.

Porcello was incredibly economical, needing just 89 pitches to go the distance. He struck out seven batters on the night as he picked up his league-leading 21st win. Porcello hasn't posted a non-quality start since his second outing of the second half back on July 24. He'll take on the Rays in Tampa over the weekend.

Despite limiting the Orioles to one run in eight innings, Rick Porcello took his first home loss of the season on Wednesday.

Porcello had been 13-0 at Fenway this year. This rated as one of his very best efforts of the season -- in fact, it's the first time he's pitched at least eight innings while allowing no more than one run -- but it just wasn't quite enough in a 1-0 game.

Rick Porcello became the first 20-game winner in Major League Baseball this season, limiting the Blue Jays to two runs on six hits over seven strong innings.

The critical victory gives the Red Sox a two-game advantage over the Jays in their quest for the division crown in the American League East. Porcello racked up seven strikeouts on the night while issuing only one free pass. The only damage against him came on a two-run single by Devon Travis in the third inning. The 27-year-old has emerged as the ace of the Red Sox staff this season, compiling a 3.21 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 161/29 K/BB ratio across 193 2/3 innings. He'll take on the Orioles his next time out at home on Wednesday.

Rick Porcello improved his record to 19-3 by holding the Athletics to two runs in seven innings, leading the Red Sox to an 11-2 victory on Saturday.

He struck out just two batters but didn't issue any free passes and gave up only four base hits. As bad as he was last year it is hard to believe that he has a legitimate shot at a Cy Young Award this year. He has a 19-3 record and 3.23 ERA and could possibly reach 25 wins with a sub-3.00 ERA by season's end. He has an average strikeout rate and an excellent walk rate, currently with 154 strikeouts and 28 walks in 186 2/3 innings.

Rick Porcello moved to 18-3 Monday, limiting the Rays to three runs over seven frames in a 9-4 victory.

He gave up six hits and struck out seven without issuing a walk. Porcello has now recorded seven straight quality starts and has quality starts in 11 of his last 12 tries. His first season in Boston was really rough, but Porcello has been excellent in his second go-round. He'll go up against the A's in Oakland in his next trip to the hill.

Depth Charts

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times mentioned Blake Swihart as a possible trade target for the Rays.

The Rays were known to be interested in Jason Castro before he signed a three-year, $24.5 million deal with Minnesota earlier this month. With Castro off the market, the Rays are likely to explore trade options at catcher. One possibility is Swihart, who could be expendable now that Sandy Leon has emerged as Boston's everyday catcher. Swihart was playing left field when he hurt his ankle last season, though the Red Sox claim he'll enter spring training as a catcher.

Updating an earlier report, the Giants have not discussed trading for Pablo Sandoval, according to MLB.com's Chris Haft.

Evan Drellich of the Boston Herald reported Friday that the Giants were considering trying to acquire Sandoval from the Red Sox but Haft said that isn't the case. The Giants are content with starting Eduardo Nunez at third base and are focused on upgrading at closer. GM Bobby Evans confirmed that Sandoval is not on the team's radar. "I’m not aware of any consideration of a reunion, but we’ll never forget all that he meant to the Giants organization," said Evans. Coming off shoulder surgery, Sandoval will presumably compete with Travis Shaw and Brock Holt for the starting job third base job in Boston this spring.

Mookie Betts underwent a successful right knee arthroscopy, chondroplasty and a loose body removal on Thursday.

Betts battled soreness in the knee throughout the second half, making his .338/.388/.547 batting line with 13 home runs and 54 RBI after the break all the more impressive. He's expected to be ready to go for the start of spring training, although it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Red Sox ease him into things.

Workman missed the entire 2016 season while rehabbing from Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery. He should be ready for the start of spring training in 2017, but the 28-year-old right-hander is going to have to prove himself worthy of a spot in the Boston bullpen.

Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Tuesday that Carson Smith (elbow) could be ready by June 1 next year.

Smith underwent Tommy John surgery back in May, so the Red Sox are aiming for his return at a little over 12 months. The 27-year-old reliever owns a dominant 2.00 ERA and 104/26 K/BB ratio in 81 career innings and could be quite the weapon if he comes back healthy, but regaining full strength can often take closer to 15 months.